Transcript Slide 1

Placing Knowledge Management within SA DST Plan
2008-2018: Innovation towards a Knowledge Based
Economy
Nolwazi Mbananga PhD
Prepared for the ICICKM Conference Stellenbosch University Cape
Town South Africa
October 2007
BACKGROUND
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The emergence of economies based on the production, distribution, use of knowledge
and information was charted by the OECD (1996) in the report “The Knowledge
Economy”
Economies are more and more becoming reliant upon effective gathering and
utilization of knowledge and the creation and sharing of knowledge are rapid in the
new economy.
OECD suggests that innovation has changed from a linear model to a non linear and
more complex relationship-based model. Discovery and innovation are no longer a
process of fixed linear sequence of phases but are the result of numerous actions of
many players.
The promise of the knowledge economy has attracted the interest of national
governments both in advanced industries and developing economies.
Innovation intensive industries such as biotechnology and super –semiconductors are
the foundations of the new economy.
Also the knowledge based economy is associated with software production , multimedia and other products based on intellectual capital.
BACKGROUND CONT.
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In the KBE context the significance of knowledge transfer, knowledge management , organizational learning
and intellectual capital increase immeasurably.
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Building networks , promoting lifelong learning, identifying gaps, and promoting investment in knowledge –
based enterprises become essential preconditions for establishing the business model in the new economy.
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For most countries the emphasis is on investing in Information and Communication Technology as the
infrastructure of the knowledge economy.
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While this approach is not wrong but it is not adequate to answer the following questions:
* Is it a good move to emphasize investment in ICTs in KBE and neglect the need for
organizational transformation which encourages creation, use and sharing of knowledge?
* Is it safe to promote ICT investment and pay little attention to social and
organizational restructuring required to deliver the benefits of the knowledge economy?
This presentation will attempt to respond to these questions within the South African DST Plan and advocates for
Knowledge Management as one of the key answers to the questions raised
Characteristics of Knowledge Based Economy ( by
OECD)
The knowledge economy is distinguished by the following:
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Diffusion of knowledge
Multiple networks
Creation of opportunities for oragnisational learning
Greater Collaborations
Gathering and Utilisation of Information an knowledge
Sharing of knowledge
Development of a strategic know how
All these determine the socio-economic positions of industry, business
organizations and firms.
The Concerns of the OECD
The OECD is concerned with the institutions and processes
for:
• Knowledge production – research and creation of new
knowledge
• Knowledge transmission- education, training and development
of people
• Knowledge transfer – diffusion of knowledge and innovation
Distinction between Knowledge Based Economy
and the New Economy
In the report “Towards Knowledge-Based Economies in APEC (2000) the
APEC Economic Committee defines KBE in the following way:
• All elements as defined by OECD
• Not simply a thriving information economy that is separated from a
stagnant old economy
• In KBE all sectors must be knowledge intensive and not only high
technology sectors
Distinction between Knowledge Based Economy
and the New Economy Cont.
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Knowledge needed in KBE society is wider than technological knowledge
It includes : cultural, social and managerial knowledge
The knowledge possessed by the organization is more than the information in the
files.
This knowledge includes:
– culture,
– process of interaction between people and organization,
– knowledge about the contacts
– processes of gaining information from outside
The organizations’ knowledge is about its capability in integrating information with
expertise to take action (This is KM)
The new Economy
The new economy is an economic paradigm shift; combination of:
• Old and Knowledge Based Economy = New Economy
• It possesses combination of structural policies, networked info and
communication technologies
• This mix increases the value of information available to:
– individuals, industry, firms, government and markets
– each of these act more efficiently, raising the return to knowledge skills
• The result of this paradigm shift and transformation is overall productivity and
economic well being
• The technology part of the new economy is key driver of productivity growth
• However, it is the transformation of economic activity in response to forces
of technology that generates the greatest gain (KM is key in this)
Knowledge Management is Key to KBE
• Knowledge Management is key to competitive advantage
• Knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing , use and protection will influence and
be influenced by the industrial context of KBE
• Knowledge –based business utilizes knowledge management methods
• Appropriability regime : patents, trade secrets and copyright are effectively
managed in KBE
• Today’s competitive environment favours organizations that protect knowledge
assets (KM)
• Firms that build, buy, combine, recombine, deploy and redeploy knowledge
assets utilize KM methods.
• Clear that KM has an important role to play in KBE and the NE
Barriers to Knowledge Based Economy (KBE)
DST PLAN
• National System Innovation (NSI) Assessment reflected following
barriers to KBE
– Marginal economic Impact
– Limited actions geared towards KBE
– Limited Knowledge Workers ( quantity and quality)
• The South African Department of Science and Technology (SA
DST) released a 10 year Plan
• Estimated Budget 28 Billion Rands
• The aim of this plan is:
Barriers to Knowledge Based Economy
(KBE) Cont.
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– Make a significant contribution in transforming the economy to K –BEconomy
– Create an environment conducive to innovation
– Expand the platform for human capital
– Expand the platform for knowledge development
Objective of the Plan is:
– Build on the NSI and support the transformation to KBE
– Build on NSI to:
>fight crime
> deliver vaccines
> provide new and sustainable energy solutions
> resistant crops form drought and disease
> new lightweight and intelligent material
> manufacturing
Knowledge Based Economy (KBE)
• Prerequisites are four Pillars: ( by World Bank)
– innovation
– education
– economic
– institutional regime
– information infrastructure
Grand Challenges of the Plan
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Aggressive programmes of focused R& D
Farmer to Pharma
Space Science and Technology
Energy Security
Science and Technology responding to Global
Changes
Gaps in the Plan
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Common / National Vision of KBE
Lack of a Coordinated National Policy for KBE
No Mention of Knowledge Management
No Mention of Informatics
No mention of New Laws for the KBE
No mention of the New Economy (NE) (bridging the Gap between Old and
KBE = NE)
No mention of an Information Society/Knowledge Society
Broad statement of Silo approach in Knowledge Creation and a coordination
plan thereof
Academic Institutions need to fill in these Gaps
Focusing on KM is a starting point
Proposed Additional Pillars for KBE and NE
ICT
R&D
D
R&
INNOVATION
EDUCATION
KNOWLEDGE
ECONOMY
R& D
R& D
INFORMATION
SOCIETY
KNOWLEDGE
SOCIETY
R& D
INFORMATICS
KNOWLEDGE
MANAGEMENT
R& D
A Model of a Knowledge Society
Education
-ICT
ICT
PUBLIC
-Telecom
-Access to information /
Knowledge
-Internet
-Information
-Information & knowledge
hubs for society
-Satellite
-Database Design
-Hardware, etc
-Hardware, etc
-Social change
-Integration of ICT’s for
countries
-Ergonims
-Information
Manager
-Empower societies to use
ICT’s
-KM
-Taking advantage pf KM
-K.Eng
-Educate Society
-K E
COP &COI
-K E
KM
-K coordination
Informatics
-K Hubs
-Information systems
-K networks
-Information
-K Systems
-Software development
-K packaging
-Information Management
-K measurement
-Data management
-KM policy
-Monitoring and evaluation
-KM Act
(Systems surveillance)
-Open access
-COP &COI
Knowledge Management as a Concept in
South Africa
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New concept in some Public and Academic Sectors
Few Private Sector organizations understand and practice KM
DPS initiated a National Policy Frame work for government
Lack of Capacity to develop and Implement the plan at national local levels
of government system
• Poor understanding of KM Value
• No Legal framework for KM
• Few organizations that can support KM in the country
• Few universities focusing on KM education
Placing KM within DST Plan : Role of
Academic Institutions
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Universities as knowledge Creation Centres must promote and Practice KM
Research Institutions must promote and Practice KM
Academic institutions must use KM tools and techniques to support DST Plan
Academic Institutions and other related organization must collaborate
Sharing and Transfer of Knowledge must increase
Formal KM Networks for COPs and COIs must be established cris-crossing all
academic institutions
Focused Courses on KM must be developed
Research and Development on IKME
Involvement of the Society in KBE is the duty of Universities and other Institutions
Creating awareness of KM, KBE NE and Knowledge Society
Changing Metrics for research output leading to open access
Changing Reward Systems for those that promote knowledge sharing and research
collaborations
South African National Centre for Informatics
Knowledge Management and Knowledge
Economy: Contribution to the DST Plan
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Coordinate Information and Knowledge at National Level
Developing Capacity in IKME
Develop National Knowledge Reviews: SA National Knowledge Bank
Assist Organisations with KM strategy Development and Implementation
Assist in National Intellectual Capital Management
Assist in e-Research Grid Development
Create Awareness on Knowledge Society
Create Awareness on KBE and NE
Place KM at the Centre of the DST Plan
See more : www.sancikmke.org.za
Conclusion
• LASTLY: Today from this conference we must form a Round Table as
Business, Higher Education, Research Organisations, Public and
Government (Round Table : BEROPOG ROUND TABLE 2007 ) that is
looking at:
• Structural, policy issues relating to the countries understanding of the
nature of knowledge ,
• Learning, knowledge management, knowledge society in a SA KBE
context.
• The centre will facilitate the rest, Please those people and organization
interested in this round table must visit www.sancikmke.org.za to sign.
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION